Rafael
Jacobs

Graduate Surveyor
|
Lee Baron Group Ltd

Real Estate BSc (Hons)
-
2015

Studying at Westminster was aided by the facilities on offer and the Faculty. The balance of academic staff and professional staff – individuals with actual experience of the industry – was key, providing an academic basis mixed with real-life experiences and examples.

What are you doing now?

After graduating I took a few months off and spent some time travelling. I am now working as a graduate surveyor in a London-based commercial property management firm. I work on a team responsible for 400 properties, with direct responsibility over all management aspects of approximately 75 properties.

What did you find most valuable about your course at Westminster? How did the skills you learnt during your degree help you to shape your career?

My course at Westminster was a good mix of academic and practical study. The academia has given me a good theoretical grounding of my chosen field of work. The practical side of the course has proven invaluable in the workplace. The skills that I picked up have been put straight to use in my day-to-day work life and have given me a strong advantage over other new starters.

What was the best thing about being a student in London?

Being a student in London was key from a social and professional perspective. Socially, London is a hub for students, tourists and residents, which gave me ample activities to do during my down time. Professionally, as the hub of UK business, being in London meant I had the opportunity to spend some of my free time preparing myself for the work place, by attending lectures and completing work placements.

What extra-curricular activities did you participate in that enhanced your time at the University?

During university I was an active member of the J-soc, attending their regular events. I also spent some time volunteering at a non-profit supermarket in my local community. I feel that university, when students have a fair amount of free time, is an optimum opportunity to assist the less fortunate. I also undertook at least two work-experience placements a year to prepare myself for my post-university career.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing a similar career?

The property industry is a vast place, with many different career paths. I would recommend that someone looking to enter the industry spend as much time as possible sampling different aspects of it, so they can make an informed decision about which pathway to take. Pay attention to the various aspects of the industry in lectures, attend extracurricular lectures of subjects found to be enjoyable and ultimately, try them out on work placements.

Why would you recommend Westminster as a place to study?

Studying at Westminster was aided by the facilities on offer and the Faculty. The balance of academic staff and professional staff – individuals with actual experience of industry – was key, providing an academic basis mixed with real-life experiences and examples. The excellent library and IT systems provided by the University are also of great benefit.